We’re about two weeks away from the truth: Ja’Marr Chase, or Penei Sewell to the Cincinnati Bengals?
Even the most comfortable NFL fans have known who both players are since last season. COVID-19 complications gave them a way to start practicing for the NFL draft four months earlier than most of their peers. Although they have not played since the 2019 season, both players have maintained their status as front-five prospects.
We have come a long way with the analysis of Chase and Sewell, and now that the concept is almost at hand, let’s look at where the rest of the internet makes them rank compared to the rest of this class. Here are the findings of 12 recent major boards:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
- Chase: WR1, fourth overall
- Sewell: OT1, fifth overall
Bleacher Report
- Sewell: OT1, fourth overall
- Chase: WR3, 10th overall
CBS Sport
- Chase: WR1, third overall
- Sewell: OT1, fourth overall
Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network
- Sewell: OT1, second overall
- Chase WR2, sixth overall
Drafttek
- Sewell: OT1, second overall
- Chase: WR1, third overall
ESPN
- Chase: WR1, third overall
- Sewell: OT1, seventh overall
Matt Fitzgerald, Sportsnaut
- Sewell: OT1, third overall
- Chase: WR1, sixth overall
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
- Chase: WR1, third overall
- Sewell: OT2, 12th overall
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
- Chase: WR1, third overall
- Sewell: OT1, seventh overall
Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network
- Chase: WR1, second overall
- Sewell: OT1, third overall
Pro soccer focus
- Sewell: OT1, fourth overall
- Chase: WR1, sixth overall
Rob Rang, Fox Sports
- Sewell: OT1, third overall
- Chase: WR1, fourth overall
If you keep score, it is and the average ranking of 4.42 for Chase and 4.67 for Sewell, with every player on six boards higher than the others. Sewell is a bit more on ESPN, Jeremiah and Kelly’s rankings, with the lowest rankings in 12th place, while Chase beat most on Bleacher Report’s rankings as the 10th best player. Nevertheless as WR3!
No wonder this debate raged; even the consensus has them fairly evenly. There may be a few more people indifferent about Sewell compared to Chase, but you might as well find someone who has Sewell right behind Trevor Lawrence. Jeremiah said the NFL considers Sewell a polarizing player, but most clubs have him as one of the top two tackles.
There is not much else that will change from now until the draft night. We have all the information at our disposal, and it will be up to NFL teams to decide where these two end up.
One thing is for sure though, these two are pretty damn good.